This classic rags-to-riches story is full of love and suspense, with our “Plain Jane” heroine a force to be reckoned with. The stories below all share similar themes and storylines as the classic, but emphasize the romance or suspense to bring new edges to the tale.
“The Duchess Deal” by Tessa Dare
This book is your standard, cheesy
regency romance, but has similar elements to “Beauty and the Beast” and “Jane
Eyre.” The Duke of Ashbury needs a wife, and when
vicar’s-daughter-turned-seamstress Emma Gladstone appears in his library
wearing the wedding dress intended for his ex-betrothed, he chooses her for the
position. Scarred physically from war and emotionally from his prior
relationship, Ashbury has strict rules for their marriage agreement, ones that
Emma wants nothing more than to break down.
“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier
Another classic, “Rebecca” has a
similar storyline to “Jane Eyre,” but with more of a gothic atmosphere. The
novel begins in Monte Carlo, where Rebecca is swept off her feet by wealthy
widower Maxim de Winter. After moving to his country estate, Rebecca begins to
feel haunted by the shadow of his popular deceased wife. And as Rebecca learns
more secrets, she realizes all is not as it seems at Manderley. These two
books’ heroines share a lot in common, but Rebecca faces her demons in gothic
atmosphere.
“The Wife Upstairs” by Rachel Hawkins
In this modern take on “Jane Eyre”
with hints of du Maurier’s “Rebecca,” this Jane is a broke dog-walker in the
gated community of Thornfield Estates in Alabama. Recently widowed Eddie
Rochester, Thornfield’s most mysterious resident, falls for Jane. But as time
goes on, Jane becomes haunted by the legend of Rochester’s wife, who owned her
own southern lifestyle brand. This tale takes the set-up of “Jane Eyre,” but
flips the script with forbidden romance, a twisty love triangle, and plenty of
suspense.
